Patents by Inventor Grant N. Hester

Grant N. Hester has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Linear and rotational adjustment systems
    Patent number: 10217478
    Abstract: Systems and methods may include a motor and an output shaft apparatus. The output shaft apparatus may be configured to position a manufacturing component using the motor. The output shaft apparatus may move linearly along a longitudinal axis and/or rotationally about the longitudinal axis. The system may also include an engagement apparatus coupling the motor to the output shaft apparatus. The engagement apparatus may be configured in a linear configuration for linearly moving the output shaft apparatus or a rotational configuration for rotationally moving the output shaft apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Grant N. Hester, Shawn A. Ruden, Bryan C. Roberts, Bradley E. Rowell, Kevin J. Spiczka
  • Workpiece handling
    Patent number: 9649736
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method contemplating handling a workpiece on a surface. A mounting block is selectively movable in a first direction toward the surface. A finger is coupled to the mounting block so that the finger is retractable in a second nonparallel direction opposed to the first direction. The finger supports an engagement member operably contacting the workpiece and subject to a reaction force from the workpiece that retracts the finger during movement of the mounting block in the first direction. The engagement member traverses the surface as a result of simultaneous movement of the mounting block in the first direction and retraction of the finger in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Grant N. Hester
  • WORKPIECE HANDLING
    Publication number: 20170057036
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method contemplating handling a workpiece on a surface. A mounting block is selectively movable in a first direction toward the surface. A finger is coupled to the mounting block so that the finger is retractable in a second nonparallel direction opposed to the first direction. The finger supports an engagement member operably contacting the workpiece and subject to a reaction force from the workpiece that retracts the finger during movement of the mounting block in the first direction. The engagement member traverses the surface as a result of simultaneous movement of the mounting block in the first direction and retraction of the finger in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Grant N. Hester
  • LINEAR AND ROTATIONAL ADJUSTMENT SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20170011760
    Abstract: Systems and methods may include a motor and an output shaft apparatus. The output shaft apparatus may be configured to position a manufacturing component using the motor. The output shaft apparatus may move linearly along a longitudinal axis and/or rotationally about the longitudinal axis. The system may also include an engagement apparatus coupling the motor to the output shaft apparatus. The engagement apparatus may be configured in a linear configuration for linearly moving the output shaft apparatus or a rotational configuration for rotationally moving the output shaft apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Grant N. Hester, Shawn A. Ruden, Bryan C. Roberts, Bradley E. Rowell, Kevin J. Spiczka